The City of Buenos Aires carried out a massive operation to evict about 5,000 street vendors who were illegally occupying Los Andes Park in Chacarita. The operation, which began last night past 9 PM, involved the participation of 200 agents from the City Police and 110 inspectors from Public Space.
Neighbors and merchants had expressed their concern about the illegal occupation of the Park for months, especially on weekends and holidays, by street vendors selling various products. The City Police, along with Public Space inspectors, confiscated more than 6,700 bundles of merchandise, 127 stall structures, and 112 metal rods, as well as two undocumented trucks.
In the words of Chief of Government, Jorge Macri, "The usurpation generates insecurity, disorder, dirt, and unfair competition for merchants who pay taxes and operate formally." The main objective of this action is to free up public spaces and protect tax-compliant merchants.
The massive operation in Chacarita is part of others carried out in different areas of the city, such as Once, Avenida Avellaneda in Flores, Retiro, Peatonal Florida, Plaza Constitución, Parque Centenario, and Parque Patricios. In each case, the aim is to ensure the complete liberation of public space and prevent illegal reoccupation.
Following the evictions, police and Public Space controls have intensified to prevent future illegal occupations. The City Government maintains its commitment to recovering public spaces and promoting legal commerce. In the dismantled areas, measures have been implemented to prevent the reappearance of illegal fairs.
Jorge Macri emphasized the importance of protecting merchants who comply with the law and ensuring that activities in public spaces are legal. Instead of the street vendors, a legal fair will be promoted in other sections of the Park, with the appropriate permits for vendors, entrepreneurs, and artisans. The Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Complex Investigations is involved in the operation in Chacarita, under the coordination of Celsa Ramírez and Daniel González.
